Pakistan's production is estimated down 34 per cent to 1.5 million tons due to pest pressure and inferior inputs lowering yields.
According to the ICAC, world ending cotton stocks are expected to decline 8 per cent to 20.4 million tons, which makes up for around 86 per cent#
“In 2016/17, poor returns for competing crops and relatively stable cotton prices may encourage farmers to plant more cotton, and cotton area may expand 1 per cent to 31.9 million hectares,” ICAC noted.
Modest increases in cotton area in India, Pakistan and the United States are expected to offset losses in China, Brazil and Uzbekistan. World cotton production is projected to increase by 3% to 23 million tons in 2016/17. (AR)
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India